How Han Solo will factor into Star Wars: The Last Jedi, according to Daisy Ridley

One of the biggest shockers in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the cruel and tragic death of Han Solo at the hands of his own son Kylo Ren. It was a devastating moment for fans everywhere, and according to series star Daisy Ridley, that loss will be felt heavily in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Speaking to Cinema Blend, the actress talks about Han’s death, Kylo Ren, and how it taps into Rey’s own past:

“She just doesn’t understand Kylo. When all she wanted was parents, why would a person who has parents do that? It’s so beyond comprehension, it’s ridiculous. So she has grief for the loss and then there’s anger. To be honest, she couldn’t understand doing something like that — let alone to your parents.”

She also took the time to stress that Han’s presence will be deeply felt throughout Episode VIII: “Han, the ghost of — well, not literally. I don’t want to misguide. I have to be very careful with my words here. But a figurative ghost of Han had to be present throughout this entire film.”

Indeed, one of the more heartbreaking aspects of The Force Awakens was seeing a wonderful father-daughter connection forming between Rey and Han, a loner and an orphan, and having that relationship cut short. Han Solo was always the fan-favorite, and it’s fair to say that his death will have a long-reaching impact felt throughout the Star Wars universe. It will be very interesting to see how certain characters (cough Luke cough) take the news.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.